Primary Teacher and Co-Learner in Southwestern Ontario

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What if we are actually supposed to reinvent the wheel?

<One of the most commonly heard phrases, for me as a fairly new educator has been, "you don't have to reinvent the wheel". It seemed to make sense. But what if that's wrong? What if we do have to reinvent it? What if the wheel that has always done the job just isn't cutting it anymore? That's scary. Without a doubt. It means stepping and staying outside of our comfort zone. Rocking the boat once in awhile. Taking risks.

I attended my first @edcampswo 'unconference' yesterday and left energized and inspired. There wasn't any one piece of the day that stood out as 'better' than the others. From augmented reality, to leadership, Minecraft in the classroom and tech troubles. My mind was blown. And then blown again. I met an amazing group of educators and administrators and by some stroke of luck co-presented a session on inquiry learning and iPads with Apple Distinguished Educator and fellow Grade 2 Teacher, Kristen Wideen.

It was a game changer for me.

I am excited to use QR codes in the classroom, to test out augmented reality through @aurasma and to provide my kiddos with the opportunities to make authentic global connections. The icing on the cake was definitely extending my PLN. There are so many exceptional educators in Ontario and it was a privilege to learn and share among some yesterday.

9 thoughts on “What if we are actually supposed to reinvent the wheel?”

I think that for quite some time the ‘don’t reinvent the wheel’ philosophy made a lot of sense. I also think that now, more than ever before, we are, and have to, reinvent the wheel. It’s time to rock the boat,

I don’t much care for models like SAMR, as they are restrictive, but they do resemble what you have written .At the very least we have to substitute old ways of doing things using 21st century tools.

AS an educator I always wonder if easiest for me is best for my students. Re-inventing the wheel is a time-comsuming task that I believe will re-create today’s modern student. Hopefully it will blurr the lines between students with special needs and those without. Technology has the opportunity to make us all on an equal playing ground….as and LRC teacher that is what pumps me up. Great blog, hopefuly your re-invention is contageous

It was so nice to connect with you at EdcampSWO. After speaking and presenting along side you, I am impressed with the things that you have accomplished in your classroom and look forward to being part of your PLN. I’m not sure if you have seen this clip,http://youtu.be/256eKjULdgQ however, sometimes you have to be “The Loan Nut” in your school to start a movement in the direction that you know is right for your students.